Danielskuil

Daniëlskuil has been through the hands of many tribal groups, and had as many different names. Situated in a fertile valley with adequate water, at the foot of the Kuruman Hills, it was first home to humans more than 800 000 years ago as evidenced in the Wonderwerk Cave just 40km outside Daniëlskuil.

Archaeologists have a large project under way at the caves, but the site is open to the public and includes an interpretative centre nearby the cave.

Then came the Tswana, who occupied the land on which Daniëlskuil is built, and they were displaced by the Griqua. Passing through in 1816, missionary James Read named the place ‘Fraaifontein’. The name, ‘Daniel’s Den’ (Danielskuil) was first found in documents by the missionary, Campbell, in 1820. The name derives from a natural crater in a limestone formation, reminding observers of the Biblical story of Daniel in the lion’s den.

Boesmansgat is a unique natural sinkhole that is renowned as the second deepest and largest sinkhole in the world, with a depth of about 299 metres.

It is filled with fresh water and has been the site of numerous attempts at world diving records. Boesmangat has claimed the lives of many divers, the most recent of which was the renowned Australian diver, Dave Shaw in January 2005. Boesmansgat is found on the farm “Mount Carmel” 30 km from Danielskuil, on the Kuruman road. Tel 053 384 0564.

Today, Daniëlskuil is sustained by mining activity and cattle farming. Since 1974, Idwala Limes has been mining the lime deposits dating back 200 million years. Over 5 million tons of stone is mined annually! Diamonds are mined at the Finsch Diamond Mine and marble is also mined in the town

Daniëlskuil boasts rather warm summers, beautiful landscapes and superb amenities. Daniëlskuil is 90km south of Kuruman.

For more information on the Green Kalahari, visit ShowMe.